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Think a car are a bad investment? That all depends on what kind of car you're talking about. Because while most cars depreciate in value as soon as you drive them off the lot, others can do even better than hold their value. The cars that appreciate tend to be pretty high-end exotics, but they don't have to be multi-million-dollar classics to command a premium at auction.

Just look at the results from RM Sotheby's Motor City sale in Detroit this past weekend. The auction house moved a solid $7.4 million worth of metal, which is pretty impressive when you consider that – unlike events at Lake Como or Pebble Beach – not one of the lots dipped into seven figures. 1930s-era American classics performed the strongest, with Duesenbergs, Packards, Auburns and the like all fetching hundreds of thousands. But what intrigued us most were the European exotics that rounded the top ten results.

Amidst the Depression-era American steel were a BMW Z8 from 2001 and a 1988 Lamborghini LM002, each of which sold for an equal $192,500. Hardly the highest figures paid for European exotics this year, but considering how much they were worth just a few years ago, they've proven solid investments.

BMW only made 5,703 examples of the Henrik Fisker-designed retro Z8, of which only 2,543 were brought to the United States, where they originally sold for $128,000. The most anyone had ever paid for one at auction, according to Sports Car Market, was $184,082, just this past March at Silverstone. That makes the price achieved this weekend a new record for one of the slinkiest vehicles the Bavarian automaker has ever made, representing an impressive 50-percent increase in value over the course of fourteen years. This particular example – chassis WBAEJ13481AH60437 for those keeping track – is decked out in silver over black, with less than 15,500 miles on the odometer.

This Rambo Lambo was produced early in the 301-unit production run, with the sought-after carbureted engine and 32,000 miles on the clock. It didn't set any records at the same price, other examples of the LM002 having traded over the past few years for over $200k. But considering that Sant'Agata originally charged around $120-130k for the SUV when it was new, its selling price still represents about 50-percent appreciation (leaving inflation aside). And if nothing else, it goes to show that there's still a strong demand on the market for a Lamborghini SUV, which the company is eager to cash in on with the imminent arrival of the new Urus.

Still not convinced? Check out the 2005 Ford GT that sold for $319,000. And that's barely more than half the price achieved by another example of Dearborn's finest that sold at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale earlier this year for $605,000. For a model for which Ford charged $140-150k in the first place. Nice work if you can get it.

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AMERICAN CLASSICS SHINE AT RM SOTHEBY'S MOTOR CITY SALEMotor City

- RM Sotheby's continues successful sales run in Michigan generating $7.4 million at its 21st annual Motor City auction
- 1930s-era American classics claim top sales led by 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Dual-Cowl Phaeton at $852,500
- European highlights include a 2001 BMW Z8 for $192,500 and a 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe for $176,000
- Detroit-area auction acts as prelude to today's Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's
- Complete Motor City results available at www.rmsothebys.com
- RM Sotheby's continues summer calendar in Monterey, California, August 13 – 15, followed by annual London, UK sale on September 7

PLYMOUTH, Michigan (July 26, 2015) – RM Sotheby's, the world's largest collector car auction house for investment-quality automobiles, generated $7,425,450* with 79 percent of all lots sold at its annual Motor City sale, July 25 in Plymouth, Michigan.

Returning as the official auction of the Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's, RM's 21st annual auction in the Detroit area saw fantastic weather for the Friday open-air preview, followed by spirited bidding in both the room and over the phone at the Saturday sale. Interest was received from 30 states across the country, as well as from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina, with nearly 25 percent of bidders representing new RM Sotheby's clientele.

American classics led the charge at the 3.5 hour auction, with handsome 1930s examples commanding strong prices to secure the top three sales of the day. The star of the auction, a striking 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Dual-Cowl Phaeton, originally owned by Duesenberg Motors President Lucius B. Manning, realized $852,500 after competition from numerous bidders on the phone and in the ballroom. The Motor City-made 1933 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Sport Phaeton awed the packed auction room with its stunning looks, achieving $583,000 to applause from the crowd. Rounding out the top three, an award-winning 1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Speedster far exceeded pre-sale expectations at a final $506,000.

"This year's sale has once again proven that Motor City is one of the leading events celebrating the American automobile, and a fantastic venue for pre-war classics," says Gord Duff, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby's. "The top three results are reflective of the solid prices we've seen throughout 2015 for beautifully restored, concours-quality American Classics, and all three are a perfect fit for the Concours weekend."

For 2015, RM Sotheby's expanded its Motor City offering, adding select European sports cars and late model collectibles to the mix. The sale enjoyed a strong start with a highly sought after triple-black 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe, achieving an above-estimate $176,000 following tremendous pre-sale interest. Additional impressive results for on-the-rise European examples included a 1988 Lamborghini LM002, and a 2001 BMW Z8, each generating $192,500. Finally, the most incredible of modern American supercars, a 2005 Ford GT, showing fewer than 370 actual miles, sold for $319,000.

Complete results from RM Sotheby's 2015 Motor City sale are available at www.rmsothebys.com.

RM Sotheby's continues its busy summer calendar with the return of its flagship Monterey, California sale, August 13 – 15. Extended to three days in 2015, the highly anticipated auction will lift the gavel on approximately 150 blue-chip collector cars. The digital catalogue for RM's traditional Friday / Saturday Monterey sales, as well as that for The Pinnacle Portfolio, an unprecedented private collection to be presented August 13, is available for viewing at www.rmsothebys.com. The company will conclude its summer calendar, September 7 with the presentation of its annual London sale, the official auction of the UK's Concours of Elegance.

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